Engine starter mechanism

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a marine propulsion device comprising an engine starter including a rotatably mounted shaft and a pinion carried by the shaft for movement relative to the shaft and relative to an engaged position in mesh with an engine starting gear, and cooperating, selectively operable means on the shaft and pinion for displacing the starter pinion to the engaged position in response to shaft rotation and for preventing movement of the starter pinion to the engaged position, notwithstanding shaft rotation. In one embodiment, there is included a linkage connecting the selectively operable means to a transmission shiftable between a neutral condition and a drive condition and operable to selectively operate the cooperating means on the shaft and the pinion for displacing the starter pinion to the engaged position and for preventing movement of the starter pinion to the engaged position.

United States Patent [1 1 Niebur et a1.

[ ENGINE STARTER MECHANISM [75] Inventors: Bernard R. Niebur, Waukegan,111.;

Thomas W. Peters, Kenosha,'Wis.

[73] Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation,

Waukegan, Ill.

[22] Filed: May 3, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 250,041

[52] US. Cl. 123/179 K, 74/7 [51] Int. Cl. F02n 15/06, F02n 11/10 [58]Field of Search 123/179 K; 74/6,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,231,637 7/1917 Nikonow123/179 K Primary Examiner-A1 Lawrence Smith Attorney-Robert E. Clemencyet al.

[ June 26, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT Disclosed herein is a marine propulsiondevice comprising an engine starter including a rotatably mounted shaftand a pinion carried by the shaft for movement relative to the shaft andrelative to an engaged position in mesh with an engine starting gear,and cooperating, selectively operable means on the shaft and pinion fordisplacing the starter pinion to the engaged position in response toshaft rotation and for preventing movement of the starter pinion to theengaged position, notwithstanding shaft rotation. In one embodiment,there is included a linkage connecting the selectively operable means toa transmission shiftable between a neutral condition and a drivecondition and operable to selectively operate the cooperating means onthe shaft and the pinion for displacing the starter pinion to theengaged position and for preventing movement of the starter pinion tothe engaged position.

17 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 1 ENGINE STARTER MECHANISM BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION The invention relates generally to starter mechanisms forinternal combustion engines, such as are included in marine propulsiondevices having reversing transmissions. In the past, it has beensometimes possible to initiate engine starting operation when thetransmission is t SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention provides amarine propulsion device which includes an engine starting gear, areversing transmission, and a starter mechanism including a rotatablestarter shaft and a starter pinion carried on the starting shaft formovement relative to the starter shaft and to an engaged position inmesh with the starting gear, together with selectively operable,cooperating means on the starter shaft and on the starter pinion fordisplacing the starter pinion to the engaged position in response torotation of the starter shaft and for preventing movement of the starterpinion to the engaged position, notwithstanding rotation of the startershaft.

Also in accordance with the invention, the reversing transmission isshiftable between a neutral condition and a drive condition and there isincluded means connecting the transmission to the selectively operable,cooperating means on the starter shaft and on the starter pinion fordisplacing the starter pinion to the engaged position in response tostarter shaft rotation when the transmission is in neutral condition andfor preventing displacement of the pinion to the engaged position whenthe transmission is in drive condition.

When the preferred embodiment of the invention includes control of theoperation of the starter mechanism in accordance with the condition ofthe reversing transmission, it is within the scope of the invention toprovide a control for the starter mechanism independently of thereversing transmission.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the means for displacingthe starter pinion to the engaged position and for preventing movementof the starter pinion to the engaged position includes provision on oneof the starter shaft and starter pinion of a drive pin and provision inthe other of the starter shaft and starter pinion ofa slot whichreceives the drive pin and which includes a portion extending axially ofthe starter shaft axis, and a portion extending in inclined relation tothe starter shaft axis.

In this last regard, when the drive pin is in the axially extending slotportion, rotation of the starter shaft is ineffective to advance thestarter pinion to the position engaging the starting gear as rotation ofthe starter shaft merely causes common rotation of the starter pinion.However, when the drive pin is in the inclined slot portion, rotation ofthe starter shaft will cause, because of frictional restraint torotation of the starter pinion with the starter shaft, axialdisplacement of the starter pinion relative to the starter shaft so asto arrive at the position in engagement with the starting gear.Thereafter, continued rotation of the starter shaft will cause rotationof the starter pinion and consequent rotation of the starting gear toinitiate engine operation.

Still more particularly, one preferred embodiment of the inventionincludes employment of a starter shaft including an axial bore, togetherwith a linkage operable in the bore to displace the starter pinionrelative to the starter shaft so as to selectively locate the drive pinin either the axial or inclined slot portions. Preferably, the linkageincludes a push rod movable axially in the starter shaft bore between afirst or upper position 10- cating the starter pinion such that thedrive pin is located in the axially extending slot portion and a secondor lower position in which the drive pin is located in the inclined slotportion.

The linkage further includes means connecting the push rod to thestarter pinion so as to afford starter pinion movement in accordancewith movement of the push rod, together with means for displacing thepush rod in the bore of the starter shaft.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, such means comprises asecond push rod which is located in the starter shaft bore in engagementwith the first push rod to afford axial displacement of the first pushrod in response to axial displacement of the second push rod whilepermitting rotational movement therebetween, together with means fordisplacing the second push rod axially of the starter shaft bore.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the means for displacingthe second push rod axially of the starter shaft bore comprises apivotally mounted control shaft and a link pivotally connected betweenthe second push rod and the control shaft so as to displace the secondpush rod within the starter shaft bore in re sponse to rocking of thecontrol shaft.

Still further in one preferred embodiment of the invention, the controlshaft comprises a control shaft for the reversing transmission and thecomponents are arranged such that the push rods are displaced to locatethe drive pin in the axially extending slot portion of the starterpinion to prevent starter pinion movement to the position engaging thestarting gear whenever the reversing transmission is shifted to a drivecondition. However, the linkage is such that when the reversingtransmission is located, by reason of movement of the control shaft, inthe neutral condition, the second or lower push rod is so positioned soas to permit the first or upper push rod and the starter pinion to fallto a position in which the drive pin is located in the inclined slotportion so as to thereby afford advancement of the starter pinion to theposition in meshing engagement with the starting gear in responsetorotation of the starter shaft in the proper direction.

The invention also provides a starter mechanism which is adapted to beoperatively connected to an engine and which includes various of thefeatures already mentioned.

One of the principal objects of the invention is the provision of astarter mechanism including selectively operable, cooperating means on astarter shaft and on a starter pinion carried on the starter shaft forrelative movement therebetween, which cooperating means is selectivelyoperable to displace the starter pinion to a position in meshedengagement with a starting engine gear in response to rotation of thestarter shaft in one direction and for preventing such movement inresponse to such starter shaft rotation.

Another of the principal objects of the invention is the provision of astarter mechanism of the type referred to in the preceding paragraph,which starter mechanism is controlled so as to permit movement of astarter pinion to a position engaged with an engine starting gear and toprevent such movement in response to the condition of a reversingtransmission.

Still another of the principal objects of the invention is the provisionofa marine propulsion device including a starter mechanism which isoperable to initiate engine starting only when the reversingtransmissionis in new tral, and which includes various of the featuresalready mentioned.

Still more particularly, another of the principal objects of theinvention is to afford starting operation of a starter mechanism when areversing transmission is in neutral and to prevent starting operationof a starter mechanism when the reversing transmission is in a drivecondition by means operable within a bore provided in a starter shaft.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become known byreference to the following description, claims, and accompanyingdrawings.

DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an outboard motorembodying various of the features of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of a mechanism shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a'fragmentary elevational view of various of the components ofthe mechanism shown in FIG. 3 with the pinion shown in its intermediateposition.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view of various of the components ofthe mechanism shown in FIG. 2 with the pinion shown in its locked-outposition.

FIG. Sis a fragmentary, partially broken away, top view of the mechanismshown in FIG. 2.

Before explaining the invention in detail, it is to be understood thatthe invention is not limited in its application to the details ofconstruction and arrangement of parts set forth in'the following generaldescription or illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orcarried-out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that thephraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose ofdescription and not of limitation.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION Shown in the drawings is a marine propulsion devicewhich embodies various of the features of the invention, which can takevarious forms and which, in the illustrated construction, is in the formof an outboard motor 11. Included in the outboard motor is a propulsionunit 13 comprising a powerhead l7 and a lower unit 21. The powerhead 17includes an engine block 23 including a starting or flywheel gear 27 anda starter or starter mechanism 29 mounted on the engine block 23 andadapted to be actuated so as to engage the starting gear 2 and rotatethe engine to initiate operation.

The lower unit 21 includes a portion which is normally under water,which rotatably supports a propeller 31, and which includes a clutch orreversing transmission 33 shiftable between a neutral condition and eachof a forward drive and a rearward drive condition.

The transmission 33 is operated by a control rod 37 which extendsvertically in the lower unit 21, which is operatively connected at itslower end to the reversing transmission 33, and which, at its upper end,emerges in proximity to the engine block 23. At its upper end, thecontrol rod 37 is pivotally connected to the outer end of a lever 39mounted on one portion of a suitably rotatablY supported shift controlshaft 41 which, at one end, extends exteriorly of a powerhead cover 43and is adapted to be operated, i.e., rocked so as to actuate thetransmission 33, either manually or by remote means connected thereto.

As thus far described, the construction is conventional and known in theart.

The starter mechanism 29 includes a mounting bracket 47 which isconnected to the engine block 23 and which includes a verticallyextending bore 49 carrying a starter drive shaft 51. Carried by thestarter drive shaft 51 for rotary and axial movement relative thereto,is a starter pinion 53 which, in accordance with the invention, ismovable between a first or engaged or advanced position in mesh with thestarting gear 27, a second or partially advanced or intermediateposition (See FIG. 3) below the engaged position and out of engagementwith the starting gear 27, and a third or retracted or lock-out position(See FIG. 4) which is located below the intermediate position.

Means are provided for rotating the starter shaft 51 to enabledisplacement of the starter pinion 53 to its engaged position from itsintermediate position and, when the starter pinion 53 is engaged withthe starting gear 27, for initiating engine operation. Variousarrangements can be employed. In the illustrated construction, suchmeans comprises connection of the lower end of the starting shaft 51 toa pulley 57 which, in turn, has anchored thereto a pull rope (notshown).

The upper end of the starter shaft 51 is fixedly connected to a recoilspring 59 which is housed in a recess 61 in the mounting bracket 47 andhas its other end anchored to the mounting bracket 47. Thus, inoperation, when the pull rope is pulled, the starter shaft 51 initiallyrotates in a first or counterclockwise direction as viewed from thepinion end, as indicated by the arrow 67 in FIG. 2 to thereby coil thespring 59. Subsequently, the recoil spring 59 uncoils or unwinds, andthereby rotates the starter shaft 51 in the clockwise direction as shownby the arrow 63 in FIG. 2 and simultaneously rewinds the pull rope onthe pulley 57. Other means can be employed within the scope of theinvention for rotating the starter shaft 51.

In accordance with the invention, cooperating selectively operable meanson the shaft 51 and on the pinion 53 are provided for preventingmovement of the starter pinion 53 from the retracted position (See FIG.4) to the engaged position when the starter pinion is in the retractedposition, notwithstanding rotation of the starter shaft 51 in thecounterclockwise direction, and when the starter pinion 53 is in theintermediate position, for effecting movement of the starter pinion 53from the intermediate position (See FIG. 3) to the engaged position inresponse to rotation of the starter shaft in the counterclockwisedirection. While various arrangements can be employed, in theillustrated construction, such means comprises formation of the starterpinion 53 with a hub 69 having diametrically opposed slots 71 which arerespectively located on opposite sides of the hub 69 and whichrespectively include an axially extending lock-out portion 73 and anaxially inclined and circumferentially extending portion 77 extendingfrom the lower or bottom end of the axially extending portion 73,together with a drive pin 79 which extends fixedly and diametricallyfrom the starter shaft 51 and has opposite ends received in the slots71. A single slot together with a drive pin having a single end receivedin the slot is within the scope of the invention, as well as location ofthe slot in the shaft and employment of a pin extending from the pinioninto the slot in the shaft.

The slots 71 and drive pin 79 are arranged such that, when the starterpinion 53 is located in the beforementioned fully retracted or lock-outposition (See FIG. 4), the drive pin 79 is located at the upper end ofthe axially extending slot portions 73 and rotation of the starter shaft51 will cause common rotation of the starter pinion 53 therewith in bothrotative directions, but will be ineffective to advance the starterpinion 53 toward the engaged position.

However, when the starter pinion 53 is in the intermediate position(SeeFIG. 3), the drive pin 79 is located at or in the upper end of theinclined slot portions 77 and rotation of the starter shaft 51 in thecounterclockwise direction will result in movement of the starter pinion53 from the intermediate position (FIG. 3) to the engaged position,followed by starting rotation of the engine. Rotation of the startershaft 51 in the opposite, or clockwise direction, will merely causecommon rotation of the starter pinion 53 with the starter shaft 51.

Rotation of the starter shaft 51 in the counterclockwise direction,together with receipt of the drive pin 79 in the inclined portions 77 ofthe slots 71, causes advancement of the starter pinion 53 from theintermediate position (See FIG. 3) to the engaged position due tocooperating assistance from a drag spring 81 which includes a circularportion 83 engaged in an angular groove on the starter pinion 53 andwhich further includes an extending portion 87 which engages a suitableear or stop 89 extending from the mounting bracket 47. Because of thefrictional drag imposed by the spring 81 against common rotation of thestarter pinion 53 with the starter shaft 51, initial rotation of thestarter shaft 51 in the counterclockwise direction causes advancement ofthe starter pinion 53 from the intermediate to the engaged position. Asis usual, ignition of the engine will cause engine operation at arotational speed much in excess of the rotational speed of the starterpinion 53 and thereby serves to cause retraction of the starter pinion53 from the engaged position toward the intermediate position.

In accordance with the invention, a linkage or means 89 is connected tothe just described selectively operable means to afford selectiveoperation thereof. While other arrangements can be employed, in theillustrated construction, the starter shaft 51 is hollow or includes abore 90 and there is provided in the hollow interior or bore 90 an upperpush rod 91 which is movable between upper and lower positions and meansfor connecting the push rod 91 to the starter pinion 53 to affordstarter pinion movement in accordance with push rod movement. Whilevarious means can be employed, in the illustrated construction, suchmeans includes a lift pin 93 extending fixedly from the upper push rod91 through diametrically opposite axially extending openings 97 in thestarter shaft 51 and into engagement with the under surface of thestarter pinion 53. When the upper push rod 91 is in its lower position,the starter pinion 53 is free to automatically fall or descend on thestarter shaft 51, under the influend of gravity, from the intermediateor engaged positions to the retracted or lock-out position (See FIG. 4)with the lower face of the starter pinion 53 engaged with the lift pin93, to thereby locate the drive pin 79 at the upper end of the axiallyextending slot portion 73. As already indicated, when the drive pin 79is in the axially extending slot portion 73, rotation of the startershaft 51 will result only in common rotation of the starter pinion 53,without any advancement of the starter pinion 53 toward the position inengagement with the starting or flywheel gear 27.

When the upper push rod 91 is in its upper, raised or elevated position,the push rod lift pin 93 will support the starter pinion 53 in itsintermediate position. Similarly displacement of the upper push rod 91from its lower to its upper positions will raise the starter pinion 53from its retracted or lock-out position to its intermediate position.

The means for effecting selective operation further includes means fordisplacing the upper push rod 91 within the hollow interior of thestarter shaft 51 from the lower position to the upper position so as tolocate the starter pinion 53 in the intermediate position with the drivepin 79 at the top end of the inclined slot portion 77 and for permittingthe upper push rod 91 to fall, under the influence of gravity, from itsupper position to its lower position, and thereby to also permit thestarter pinion 53 to fall from its intermediate position to itsretracted or lock-out position. While various arrangements can beemployed, in accordance with the illustrated construction, the lower endof the hollow interior of the starter shaft 51 is open and there isreceived therein a second or lower push rod 121 which, at its upper end,engages the bottom of the upper push rod 91 so as to control theposition thereof while permitting rotation of the upper push rod 91 withthe starter shaft 51 relative to the lower push rod 121. At its other orlower end, the lower push rod 121 is pivotally connected, about an axistransverse to the axis of the starter shaft 51, to an arcuatelyextending connecting link 123 which, in turn and at its lower end, ispivotally connected to a lever 127 extending fixedly from the pivotallymounted shift control shaft 41.

The components are so arranged so that when the shift control shaft 41is in its neutral position, the lower push rod 121 is located in itsmost elevated position within the starter shaft 51, thereby raising theupper push rod 91 to its upper position, which, in turn, raises thestarter pinion 53 on the starter shaft 51 to the intermediate orpartially advanced position with the drive pin 79 located in the upperend of the inclined slot portion 77. Accordingly, with the components inthe just described position, rotation of the starter shaft 51 in thecounterclockwise direction will cause advancement of the starter pinion53 from the intermediate or partially advanced position to the fullyadvanced or engaged position to effect engine starting operation. It isto be especially noted that engine starting operation is permitted whenthe shift control shaft 41 is in the neutral position.

However, whenever the shift control shaft 41 is rocked from its neutralposition to either of the forward or reverse drive positions, thelinkage 89 serves to lower or partially withdraw the lower push rod 121,thereby permitting the lowering of the upper push rod 91 under theaction of gravity to its lower position and simultaneously to affordlowering of the starter pinion 53 to the fully lowered or retractedlock-out position. As already explained, when in the fully lowered orretracted lock-out position, the drive pin 79 is located at the upperend of the axially extending slot portion 73 to thereby prevent starterpinion movement from the retracted toward the engaged position.Accordingly, whenever the shift control shaft 41 is rocked from itsneutral position, the starter pinion 53 is permitted to fall to itslock-out position so as to prevent engine starting operation of thestarter mechanism 29.

While the illustrated construction has included the shift control shaft41 as a part of the means 89 for effecting selective operation of thestarter pinion 53, various of the features of the invention can also beobtained when such means for effecting selective operation of thestarter pinion includes a manually, or otherwise operable, shiftableshaft mechanism independent of the reversing transmission or of theshift control shaft 41.

Various of the features of the invention are set forth in the followingclaims:

1. A marine propulsion device comprising an engine having a startinggear, a starter including a rotatable starter shaft and a pinion carriedon said shaft for movement relative to said shaft and to an engagedposition in mesh with said starting gear, and selectively operablecooperating means on said shaft and on said pinion for displacing saidpinion to said engaged position in response to rotation of said shaftand for preventing movement of said pinion to said engaged positionnotwithstanding rotation of said shaft.

2'. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 1 wherein saidmeans for displacing said pinion to said engaged position and forpreventing pinion movement to said engaged position includes a drive pinon one of said shaft and said pinion and a slot in the other of saidshaft and said pinion, said slot receiving said drive pin and includinga portion extending axially of the axis of said shaft and a portionextending in inclined relation to the axis of said shaft.

3. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 2 wherein saidshaft includes an axial bore therein and a linkage operable in said boreto displace said pinion relative to said shaft so as to selectivelylocate said drive pin in the axial and inclined slot portions.

4. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 3 wherein saidlinkage includes a push rod movable axially in said shaft bore, meansconnecting said push rod to said pinion to afford pinion movement inaccordance with movement of said push rod, and means for displacing saidpush rod in said bore.

5. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 4 wherein saidmeans for displacing said push rod comprises a second push rod in saidshaft bore in engagement with said first mentioned push rod, and meansfor displacing said second push rod axially of said shaft bore.

6. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 5 wherein saidmeans for displacing said second push rod comprises a pivotally mountedcontrol shaft and a link pivotally connecting said second push rod tosaid control shaft. 1

7. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 5 and furtherincluding a reversing transmission shiftable between a neutral positionand a drive position and wherein said means for displacing said secondpush rod comprises linkage means connected between said reversingtransmission and said second push rod and operable for preventingmovement of said pinion to said engaged position when said reversingtransmission is in said drive position and for affording movement ofsaid pinion to said engaged position in response to shaft rotation whensaid reversing transmission is in the neutral position.

8. A marine propulsion device comprising an engine having a startinggear, a transmission shiftable between a neutral condition and a drivecondition, a starter including a rotatable starter shaft and a pinioncarried on said starter shaft for axial and rotative movement relativeto said starter shaft, selectively operable means on said starter shaftand on said pinion for displacing said pinion relative to an engagedposition in mesh with said starting gear in response to rotation of saidstarter shaft and for preventing movement of said pinion to said engagedposition notwithstanding rotation of said shaft, and means connectingsaid transmission to said selectively operable means on said startershaft and on said pinion for operating said selective means to displacesaid pinion to said engaged position in response to starter shaftrotation when said transmission is in neutral condition and foroperating said selective means to prevent displacment of said pinion tosaid engaged position in response to starter shaft rotation when saidtransmission is in drive condition.

9. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 8 wherein saidmeans for displacing said pinion to said engaged position and forpreventing pinion movement to said engaged position includes a drive pinon one of said shaft and said pinion and a slot in the other of saidshaft and said pinion, said slot receiving said drive pin and includinga portion extending axially of the axis of said shaft and a portionextending in inclined relation to the axis of said shaft.

10. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 9 wherein saidshaft includes an axial bore therein and a linkage operable in said boreto displace said pinion relative to said shaft so as to selectivelylocate said drive pin in the axial and inclined slot portions.

11. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 10 wherein saidlinkage includes a push rod movable axially in said shaft bore, meansconnecting said push rod to said pinion to afford pinion movement inaccordance with movement of said push rod and means for displacing saidpush rod in said bore. 7

12. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 11 wherein saidmeans for displacing said push rod comprises a second push rod in saidshaft bore and means for displacing said second push rod axially of saidshaft bore.

13. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 12 wherein saidmeans for displacing said second push rod comprises a pivotally mountedcontrol shaft anda link pivotally connecting said second push rod tosaid control shaft.

14. An engine starter including a rotatable starter shaft and a pinioncarried on said shaft for movement relative to said shaft and relativeto a position adapted for meshing engagement of said pinion with anengine starting gear when in said position, and a drive pin on one ofsaid shaft and said pinion and a slot in the other of said shaft andsaid pinion and receiving said drive pin, said slot including a portionextending axially of the axis of said shaft and a portion extending ininclined relation to the axis of said shaft, whereby, when said drivepin is in said axially extending slot portion, said pinion is preventedfrom moving to said position and when said drive pin is in said inclinedslot portion, said pinion is displaced to said position in response torotation of said shaft.

15. An engine starter in accordance with claim 14 wherein said shaftincludes an axial bore therein and a linkage operable in said bore todisplace said pinion relative to said shaft so as to selectively locatesaid drive pin in the axial and inclined slot portions.

16. An engine starter in accordance with claim 15 wherein said linkageincludes a push rod movable axially in said shaft bore and meansconnecting said push rod to said pinion to afford pinion movement inaccordance with movement of said push rod.

17. An engine starter in accordance with claim 16 wherein said linkagefurther'includes means for displacing said push rod in said bore.

1. A marine propulsion device comprising an engine having a startinggear, a starter including a rotatable starter shaft and a pinion carriedon said shaft for movement relative to said shaft and to an engagedposition in mesh with said starting gear, and selectively operablecooperating means on said shaft and on said pinion for displacing saidpinion to said engaged position in response to rotation of said shaftand for preventing movement of said pinion to said engaged positionnotwithstanding rotation of said shaft.
 2. A marine propulsion device inaccordance with claim 1 wherein said means for displacing said pinion tosaid engaged position and for preventing pinion movement to said engagedposition includes a drive pin on one of said shaft and said pinion and aslot in the other of said shaft and said pinion, said slot receivingsaid drive pin and including a portion extending axially of the axis ofsaid shaft and a portion extending in inclined relation to the axis ofsaid shaft.
 3. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 2wherein said shaft includes an axial bore therein and a linkage operablein said bore to displace said pinion relative to said shaft so as toselectively locate said drive pin in the axial and inclined slotportions.
 4. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 3wherein said linkage includes a push rod movable axially in said shaftbore, means connecting said push rod to said pinion to afford pinionmovement in accordance with movement of said push rod, and means fordisplacing said push rod in said bore.
 5. A marine propulsion device inaccordance with claim 4 wherein said means for displacing said push rodcomprises a second push rod in said shaft bore in engagement with saidfirst mentioned push rod, and means for displacing said second push rodaxially of said shaft bore.
 6. A marine propulsion device in accordancewith claim 5 wherein said means for displacing said second push rodcomprises a pivotally mounted control shaft and a link pivotallyconnecting said second push rod to said control shaft.
 7. A marinepropulsion device in accordance with claim 5 and further including areversing transmission shiftable between a neutral position and a driveposition and wherein said means for displacing said second push rodcomprises linkage means connected between said reversing transmissionand said second push rod and operable for preventing movement of saidpinion to said engaged position when said reversing transmission is insaid drive position and for affording movement of said pinion to saidengaged position in response to shaft rotation when said reversingtransmission is in the neutral position.
 8. A marine propulsion devicecomprising an engine having a starting gear, a transmission shiftablebetween a neutral condition and a drive condition, a starter including arotatable starter shaft and a pinion carried on said starter shaft foraxial and rotative movement relative to said starter shaft, selectivelyoperable means on said starter shaft and on said pinion for displacingsaid pinion relative to an engaged position in mesh with said startinggear in response to rotation of said starter shaft and for preventingmovement of said pinion to said engaged position notwithstandingrotation of said shaft, and means connecting said transmission to saidselectively operable means on said starter shaft and on said pinion foroperating said selective means to displace said pinion to said engagedposition in response to starter shaft rotation when said transmission isin neutral condition and for operating said selective means to preventdisplacment of said pinion to said engaged position in response tostarter shaft rotation when said transmission is in drive condition. 9.A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 8 wherein said meansfor displacing said pinion to said engaged position and for preventingpinion movement to said engaged position includes a drive pin on one ofsaid shaft and said pinion and a slot in the other of said shaft andsaid pinion, said slot receiving said drive pin and including a portionextending axially of the axis of said shaft and a portion extending ininclined relation to the axis of said shaft.
 10. A marine propulsiondevice in accordance with claim 9 wherein said shaft includes an axialbore therein and a linkage operable in said bore to displace said pinionrelative to said shaft so as to selectively locate said drive pin in theaxial and inclined slot portions.
 11. A marine propulsion device inaccordance with claim 10 wherein said linkage includes a push rodmovable axially in said shaft bore, means connecting said push rod tosaid pinion to afford pinion movement in accordance with movement ofsaid push rod and means for displacing said push rod in said bore.
 12. Amarine propulsion device in accordance with claim 11 wherein said meansfor displacing said push rod comprises a second push rod in said shaftbore and means for displacing said second push rod axially of said shaftbore.
 13. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 12 whereinsaid means for displacing said second push rod comprises a pivotallymounted control shaft and a link pivotally connecting said second pushrod to said control shaft.
 14. An engine starter including a rotatablestarter shaft and a pinion carried on said shaft for movement relativeto said shaft and relative to a position adapted for meshing engagementof said pinion with an engine starting gear when in said position, and adrive pin on one of said shaft and said pinion and a slot in the otherof said shaft and said pinion and receiving said drive pin, said slotincluding a portion extending axially of the axis of said shaft and aportion extending in inclined relation to the axis of said shaft,whereby, when said drive pin is in said axially extending slot portion,said pinion is prevented from moving to said position and when saiddrive pin is in said inclined slot portion, said pinion is displaced tosaid position in response to rotation of said shaft.
 15. An enginestarter in accordance with claim 14 wherein said shaft includes an axialbore therein and a linkage operable in said bore to displace said pinionrelative to said shaft so as to selectively locate said drive pin in theaxial and inclined slot portions.
 16. An engine starter in accordancewith claim 15 wherein said linkage includes a push rod movable axiallyin said shaft bore and means connecting said push rod to said pinion toafford pinion movement in accordance with movement of said push rod. 17.An engine starter in accordance with claim 16 wherein said linkagefurther includes means for displacing said push rod in said bore.